Congratulations! If you’re reading this, that means you realize that it is almost the end of 2014.
Around this time, many of us find ourselves beginning to think about New Year’s Resolutions and come up with the long list of things that we want to do to change and improve ourselves.
I used to find myself to be included in the large population of people who do make these lists. I will admit that I have stopped doing this a few years ago because of the sole reason that I would make all of these goals for myself and NEVER do them.
Since starting graduate school and moving to Syracuse, I had to adapt to a lot of new experiences and perspectives which involved me doing a lot of self-reflection.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I should think about New Year’s Resolutions. I’m not interested in transformation and no I’m not one of those people who has the new motto “New year, new me.” I’m looking for evolution. I truly value personal growth and development.
So I’ve come up with a fancy list of potential resolutions for the New Year that are personal and professional and side notes on why and how I could make them happen:
- Go to the gym. I already begun doing that this year by adding it into my schedule, either going after class or work. Gotta keep it up.
- Utilize calendars more often. I have realized that with the help of Microsoft Outlook and discovering how connected my calendars can be between work and grad school, it encourages me to use calendars more often. I also received a tip from my future practicum supervisor about color-coding to help me stay organized.
- Read for leisure. I have a bookshelf in my apartment with books still waiting for me to read and books that I need to reacquaint myself with. I should also look into book clubs in the area if there are some, that should keep me consistent.
- Continue to look for opportunities for professional development. I do plan on attending the NASPA Annual Conference but I also hope to find nearby conferences and events that will help me continue to network with others and keep me current with the field. Moreover, I do plan on applying for summer internships through ACUHO-I and shared opportunities.
- Volunteer more. By taking closer looks at the advertising shared around Syracuse and doing my own personal search for volunteer opportunities.
- Travel. This could happen through professional opportunities but I am also looking to for a personal experience. I also need to get my passport so I can finally experience a place outside of the US.
- Practice good social media and technological use. For me this is actually going to be the hardest thing for me. I’m attached to my phone like it’s a body part but this is why I need to do it. I need to put my phone away when I’m with hanging out friends and family, when I’m eating dinner, pretty much when I am around others (unless it’s to take a selfie). I should try to keep it more to my private time and even with that said, don’t allow it to be my ultimate source of reflection.
- Start writing again. I have a notebook that is waiting to be filled so I should encourage myself to finish the book completely. It’s a goal I have never accomplished before.
- Compliment others. It’s not that I don’t compliment others but I do want to make others feel good about themselves because sometimes people really do need that pick me up to get through their days. If I could compliment at least three people a day and set a reminder (YES in my calendar), it could become something I could practice more often.
- Find new activities to do. I really want to do something that I either never done before and have always been interested in doing. I should look up opportunities to do, maybe a dance class, or a sculpting and painting class, something that will keep me active and learning.
I’m sure that there are other resolutions that I can add to this but the umbrella resolution that encompasses all of these is to continue to find myself.
Hopefully those read this post find themselves wanting to begin thinking about resolutions too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to develop yourself.
Advice for those developing resolutions: Start now while it’s 2014, so you’re already on your way in 2015.
> BONUS <
Podcast With Danny Malave on New Professional Retrospective on the Job Search
